Many people today are looking to purchase a new home or refinance an existing mortgage in Empire, MI. In this case, individuals will most likely need a mortgage loan to finance the purchase. When obtaining a home loan, the most important thing to consider is the interest rate. People want to get the lowest available rate. Rates change frequently, so consumers need to compare rates to see what company offers the best rate. In this case, Wirefly can be very useful. We will provide borrowers with the resources they need to find the lowest rates. We can help individuals research and compare to make sure they do not pay more in interest than they should.
Individuals who want to plant their roots down in Empire, MI and buy a home in the area are probably going to require some type of home loan to finance the purchase. Fortunately, lenders will make a home mortgage available to individuals who have a good credit history. This is one reason why people want to make sure that they pay their financial obligations on time. If they ever go to purchase a home in the future and have a poor credit history, they may not be eligible for a home or will have to pay a higher interest rate.
There are a few ways that people can attain a new home mortgage. Often, their real estate agent will be working with an individual and recommend their services. While this sounds like an easy path to take, it is still a good idea to compare mortgage rates in Empire, MI. By going online and searching for different home loan options, a person can try to save some money by obtaining the lowest interest rate that they can find. Many individuals don't realize how just a .25 change in their interest rate can save them quite a bit of money when it's spread over a long period of time. Wirefly makes the process of searching for the best mortgage rates in Empire, MI much more efficient than trying to compare and analyze rates themselves. This allows a homebuyer to spend their time with other factors such as planning their move.
Buyers usually have a wide range of options - such as adjustable rate mortgages or fixed-rate mortgages - in terms of home loans. Read on to learn some of the most popular home loan types and who each type is best suited for.
Fixed-rate home loans in Empire, MI refer to mortgages that maintain the same interest rate throughout the entire repayment period. This means that your monthly mortgage payment will stay the same throughout each month as the years pass. This even applies to long-term financing deals, such as 30-year fixed rate mortgages. Throughout the entire term, the interest rate and the monthly payment remains completely the same.
Adjustable-rate mortgage loans (ARMs) in Empire, MI have variable interest rates that can be adjusted on occasion. Generally, ARM rates will change about once a year once the initial period (where the rate remains fixed) passes. Typically, this type of loan is called a "hybrid" product. An ARM loan that is a hybrid begins as a fixed rate before switching to an adjustable rate. For example, the 5/1 ARM loan offers a fixed interest rate for the first five years. After five years, the interest gets adjusted on an annual basis. The 5/1 portion of the name refers to the 5-year fixed period and the 1 year adjustment periods after the initial period.
After borrowers choose between a fixed and adjustable rate, they need to decide the type of loan that is best for them. Government-backed loans are available. The government loans that are available include FHA, VA, and USDA mortgages. The other type of loan that is offered is a conventional loan. A conventional loan is not insured by the federal government. The requirements for a conventional loan are more stringent than government-backed loans.
Anyone in Empire, MI is eligible to apply for an FHA loan. These loans are offered by the Federal Housing Administration, which is run by the Department of Housing and Urban Development, or HUD. People can qualify for this loan with less than perfect credit, and they only need to make a 3.5% down payment. One of the cons of this type of loan is that mortgage insurance is required, which will increase the monthly payment amount.
Many people choose to refinance their existing mortgage. Some reasons to refinance include to lower the monthly payment amount, shorten the life of the loan, or get a lower interest rate. When borrowers refinance, the lender will pay off the existing loan and create a completely new loan. Therefore, people will still need to pay closing costs and other fees. It is important for individuals to check to see if they are actually saving money by refinancing. People who are switching from an adjustable-rate to a fixed-rate are probably going to be saving money. Rates are more likely to increase over the future. Individuals can get the lowest rate by keeping their credit score above 700 and keeping a low debt-to-income ratio. However, in Empire, MI, even if you do not have a great credit score, low rates can still be found.
